Meet Shivers

If you’re facing the same type of winter that we’ve been experiencing in Chicago, then this CH cat’s name — Shivers — may be exactly what you’ve been feeling the past few months. Never fear, this 3-year-old CH kitty’s story will certainly warm you up! Here’s a bit more about Stephanie and her moderate CH male, Shiver Me Timbers, a.k.a., Shivers:

Does he have certain limitations?

Shivers is pretty capable. He will jump up on the beds and climb onto the tops of the couches to perch. He can not run very well and does fall sometimes and is also very nervous.

How does he manage the litter box? Eating and drinking? Do you do anything special to help?

Shivers is very picky about his litter box and sometimes goes outside of it. He currently has two. One has a dome to catch all the litter that he kicks around to try to bury his poop, the other is a flat open one.

He eats and drinks normally, uses low wide bowls. He loves to eat and is unrelentless at feeding times. He usually puts the food in his mouth and drops it outside of the bowl and then eats is.

What’s one funny story about him (related to CH)? Or share a story about how he figured out how to do something CH cats “can’t” do.

Shivers still thinks he is a normal kitty and he tries to be brave. When we first adopted him as a newborn and we were unfamiliar with his condition, we just thought he was cold and constantly shivering so we kept him with a blanket and on a heating pad.

Has he ever hurt herself because of his CH?

He has had some falls but never anything that has caused him serious pain. He does vomit sometimes after he has a head tremor.

Each animal is special in his own way. How is he special?

This kitty chose me. We took in the whole litter after the mother passed away, she didn’t even clean the afterbirth off them. They all had leukemia (later turned out to be misdiagnosed). I had to give special attention to this one though and he immediately connected to me as his mommy. We have been inseparable ever since.

Have you found ways to help him with CH? How?

I have taken him to a specialist, and he goes to the vet regularly. I have tried (and am still trying) to figure out the litter box situation. I love to massage his hind legs a little and always give him love and cuddles. And I try to always carry him up and down the stairs because he follows me wherever I go.

Do you have any words of wisdom for other CH parents?

Be patient and love them. All animals deserve the chance at a happy and healthy life. They can not speak so we have to be their voice.

What do you think people need to know about CH?

The basics about this condition, and how rewarding owning a CH cat can be. This is not the type of condition that warrants euthanasia. My kitty is so special and normal!

What is your favorite and least favorite thing about his having CH?

My favorite thing about Shivers is his love bug personality. He has a sixth sense about my feelings and always knows when I am feeling down. Then he wobbles towards me and takes five minutes before he gets the courage to jump on the couch and then cuddles up right next to me and snores away.

I care for two wonderful kitties with CH; both are playful, loving and get a great deal of joy out of life. Hugo & Shakespeare – the butterscotch boys!

****I am trying to find information on the frequency / commonality of orange / ginger tabby type cats with Cerebellar Hypoplasia…not so much that gingers have this condition but that so many happen to have this coloring****